Information environment of tutors in public secondary schools in Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the information needs, seeking behavior, sources, and perceptions on the state of the school libraries and challenges of accessing information by Tutors in Public Secondary Schools (TPSS). It adopted survey research method with questionnaire as the tool for data collection, which was administered on all TPSS in the affected schools, collected and analyzed with descriptive statistics. It was discovered that the information needs of the TPSS are mostly on their subject areas and contemporary methods of teaching, developments and inventions in science and technology, medical and health information, information on educational issues and furthers studies as well as on things happening around the world. The online environment shapes their information seeking behavior and was main avenue through which they access information. Their perception on the poor state of libraries in their schools is an issue of concern, as it acts as a challenge to their access to information. Recommendations were put forward on ways to remedy the situation.

Keywords: Information environment; Tutors in public schools (TPSS); School libraries; information needs; information access